Pump.



G. DORFFEL.

PUMP. APPLIoATIoN FILED 1320.30, 1911.

' Patented Jul;r 29, 1913.

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PUMP. APPLICATION FILED DBG. 30, 1911.

Patented July 29, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

KM I

ATTORNEYS G. DORFFEL.

PUMP.

APPLICATION FILED 11110.30. 1911.

1,068,865. Patented July 29, 1913.

- 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES yPATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE DORFFEL, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

PUMP.

To all 11i/wm t may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE DORFFEL, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of Oakland, in the countyof Alameda and State of California, have invented a new and ImprovedPump, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of the invention is-to provide a new and improved pumpstructure designed to utilize air as the motive power, and to beautomatically operated thereby continuously as long as the water ispermitted to liow.

Another object of the invention is the arrangement of improved means forpumping from shallow wells, rivers, and the like, the structure beingsuch as to properly operate as long as there is a supply of water.

A still further object of the invention is an arrangement in a waterpump of means for utilizing air for propelling the various moving partsof the pump with the expenditure of a minimum amount of power and with aloss of a minimum amount of air.

In carrying out the objects of the invention a pair of tubular membersare provided formed with apertures in the lower part thereof for theadmission of water. These tubes are arranged to be entirely submerged oralmost entirely submergedhso that a float positioned in each of thetubes will be raised by the water entering therein under certaincircumstances. rIhese ioats are arranged to co-act with a valveoperating mechanism for turning on and off power in order that the watermay be pumped or forced from the pipes alternately, and that theoperation may be automatic. VThe pumping mechanism is adapted to beoperated by air pressure which is alternately turned on to the pipes forforcing the water therein outward through suitable discharge members,one pipe and associated devices operating for discharging water duringthe time that the other pipe and associated devices are operating fortaking in a new supply of water.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in whichsimilar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all theviews.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a pump embodying my invention, the samebeing shown in position in a well; Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view ofthe air-controlled mech- Specication of Letters Patent. -Application ledDecember 30, 1911.

Vsection through the center of one Patented July 29, 1913. Serial No.668,653.

`anism; Fig. 3 is a section through Fig. 4

on the line B thereof; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section throughthe air controlled mechanism, the same being taken approximately on theline 4-4 of Fig. 3; and F 1g. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical i ofthe water receiving pipes, together with associated devices, the samebeing taken approximately -on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1.

In using or applying a pump formed according to'my invention, the samemay bo supported in any desired manner, as for inlstance,by having thepump rest on the bottom of a well, the bottom of a river. lake, or otherplace containing water which is desiredt-o be removed. In theaccompanying drawings, Fig. 1 shows the pump arranged 1n a well l,having a suthcient quantity of 1water for almost submerging the pipes 2and 3. The pipes 2 and 3 have connected therewith auxiliary pipes 4 and5 which carry perforated water receiving pipes 6 and 7, all of thesepipes being approximately of 4the same size. Each of the intermediatepipes 4 and 5 is provided with an enlargement or bulged portion 8 foraccommodatiing a bolt 9 and operating lever 10, which is pivotallymounted on the bolt 9. The ends of the bolt 9 may be held in place bynuts or other suitable means, and any desired packing may be used forpreventing the escape of air or water around the bolt.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 5, it will be seen that arranged inthe intermediate pipe 4 is a valve 11 which is designed to seat itselfby gravity and to be guided by a spider 12 formed integral with a sleeve13 threaded into the lower end of the intermediate pipe or section 4.The lever 10 is also located in the pipe 4 and carries at its front enda bearing knob 14 designed to fit into a yde ression 15 in the float 16.By this means w enever the ioat 16 moves downwardunder the action ofgravity the same will engage the knob 14 and depress the lever 10. Thiswill cause a downward movement of a rod 17 and a cable 18, which isconnected with a valve controlling lever 19. The movement of the cable18 and the lever 19 will cause a partial rota-tion of the valve 20 asthe lever 19 is permanently rigidly bolted to the valve. When thisoccurs the air will pass from the air supply pipe 21 into the valve 20and thence to pipe 22. The pipe 22 is connected to the upper part of theand also the water in the intermediate pipe 4, until practically all ofthe same escapes out through an opening 23 into a pipe 24. From the pipe24 the water passes upward into a valve casing 25 and raises a valvemember 26. The valve member 26 normally rests on a spider 27 forpreventing any water in the discharge pipe 28 from escaping. Wlhen thewater is forced upwardly through the easing 25 the same may freely raisetie valve member 26 and pass upward into the discharge pipe 28 and fromthence outward to any desired point, In case the float 16 is pressingtightly against the top of the pipe 2, the air will move the samedownward slightly until it can escape around the lloat, In order tofacilitate this action by the air, the float is formed with beads orfins 29 for providing` a space between the body of the float and thewalls of the pipe 2. It should be understood that there is a ilo-at 16arranged in each of the intermediate sections 4 and 5, and that when thefloat 16 is lowered by air forcing water out of the intermediate pipe 4the lever 10 will be operated for shifting the arm 19 in order that theair .may be turned off from the pipe 2 and turned on the pipe 3. The aircontrolled mechanism shown in Figs. 2 to 4, inclusive, is constructf edand arranged as hereinafter fully described, for opening pipe 22 to t-heatmosphere at substantially the same time that a pipe 30 connected withpipe 3, is connected with the air supply pipe 21. Immediately uponconnecting the pipe 22 with the exhaust or with the atmosphere, waterwill rush through the openings in pipe 6 and pass upward into theintermediate section l and also into section 2, lifting valve 11. Thewater will continue to pass into the pipe 2 until the float 16 has movedupward and engaged the top of pipe 2, or until the water has raised toits own level. If the pipe is submerged then the water will pass upwardto the top of pipe 2, and if the float 1G is not tightly engaging thetop of the pipe the water will .continue to move upward through pipe 22until it has reached its normal level.

O f course when the air is turned into pipe 22 the same will force thewater therefrom downwardly through pipe 22, and finally out pipe 24. Thefloat in the intermediate section 4 is designed to operate the cable 18and the float in the intermediate section 5 is designed to operate acable 31, these floats acting alternately for shifting the valve 2O fromone position to another in order that water may be forced alternatelyout o f dis-` charge pipes 28 and 3 2. The discharge pipes 28 and 32, ifdesired, may be joined or united in order to provide a discharge havinga Continuous Stream. The cables 18 and, 3.1 are guided by suitablepulleys 33 and mounted in brackets 35 and 36 bolted or otherwise rigidlysecured to the cylinder 37 in which the valve 20 moves.

In providing the levers 19 and 19, the same are arranged to overlap theends of the valve 2O so as to bear against the ends of the cylinder 37and thus prevent a longitudinal movement of the cylinder, thoughpermitting, and in fact causing a partial rotary movement thereof whenthe pump is operating. Each of the levers 19 and 19 is pro-A vided witha pair of apertures through which the ends of the cables 18 and 31 arepassed for anchoring the cables to the levers. The ends of the cablesmay, if desired, be

clamped by suitable bolts 38 for insuring against accidental removal.

The valve 20 is provided with intake ports 39 and 40, and exhaust ports41 and 42. The valve 20 is also provided wit-h combination intake andexhaust ports 43 and 44 register ing with ports 45 and 4G, which in turnregister with the pipes 22 and 30 respectively. By this construction thepipes 22 and 30 are in continuous communication with the interior of thevalve 20 notwithstanding the yfact that the valve 20 oscillates back andits rotation in order not to shut olf either of the ports 45 or 46. Inorder to prevent confusion and to cause the proper operation of thevalve, the same is divided by a partition 47 into chambers 48 and 49, asclearly sho-wn in Fig, 4. In addition to the ports just mentioned, thereare provided exhaust ports 50 and 51 in the cylinder' 37. The same aredesigned to register alternately with the ports 41 and 42. As the valveis shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the pipe 22 is eX- hausting into the valveand then out at port 51, and the pipe 30 is receiving compressed air.The air supply pipe 21 is threaded into a fitting 52 which acts in thecapacity of an air chest, and it supplies ports 53 and 54 with air underpressure. The port 53 is designed to register` with the port 39 when thevalve 2O is in one position, and the port 54 is designed to registerwith port 40 when the valve 20 is moved to another position, themovement of the valve 2 0 being limited by a plurality of stops or pins55 secured to the cylinder 37 and arranged to engage the lever 19. 1

After the pump has been placed in the well as shown in Fig. 1, andproperly con nected up, air under pressure is supplied to pipe 21 fromany desired source. When the valve 2O is in the position shown in Figs,3 and 4 the air will pass from pipe 21 into valve 2O and from thencethrough ports 44 and 46 into pipe 30. The air Will move down throughpipe 30 until the same en` gages the water in the pipe 3. If the pressure of air is sutliciently strong, the water will be forced downwardand out of the discharge pipe 32. As the water moves downward in thepipe 3 and intermediate pipe 5, the iioat arranged therein will belowered by gravity until the same engages knob 14, whereupon it will actupon the lever 10 and pull in a downward direction on the cable 31. Thiswill cause valve 20 to be shifted so that air will pass in from pipe 21to chamber 48 through the intake port 54, and from thence downwardthrough pipe 22 into pipe 2. The air will act on the water in the pipe 2and force the same downward and finally out the discharge pipe 28. Whilethis is taking place the air in pipe 3 and pipe 30 is being exhausted atports 41 and 50, the motion of the valve 20 causing these ports toregister at the same time that ports 54 and 40 register. vWhen the oat16 in the air pipe 4 depresses the arm 10 therein, the air will be cutoft' from pipe 22 and switched on to pipe 30 and pipe 22 will be openedto the atmosphere forV permitting the same to exhaust. By thisconstruction and arrangement the device operates automatically and onlya minimum amount of air is permitted to escape. It will also be observedthat the device will operate equally well in deep water or shallowwater, provided the water is sufficient to cover or almost cover theupper ends of pipes 2 and 8. The valve 26 arranged in pipes 28 and 32prevents any back flow of water, while the intermediate sections 4 and 5are taking in a new supply.

In arranging the exhaust ports 41 and 42, 50 and 51, the same arearranged approximately twice the size needed, but are so set as tonormally open only for half their dis-- tance. -This construction andarrangement is provided so as to take up any loose motion or slacknessin the cables or connected parts. In case there was some loose motionthe exhaust ports would simply open a little wider rather than to closeor partially close, as would be the case if the ports were not largerthan absolutely necessary.

Having thusV described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent;

1. In an air operated pump, means for guiding air to the pump, an airvalve formed with means for alternately switching on and 0Ha said airand connecting and disconnecting the pump with an exhaust, a pair ofreceptacles connected with said air valve for alternately receivingcompressed air, a water intake valve for each of said receptacles. adischarge pipe connected with each of said receptacles, a floatpositioned in each of said receptacles above said intake valves, each ofsaid floats being formed with ridges thereon for positively spacing thefloats from the sides of the receptacles in order to permit water andair to freely circulate around the floats and allow a free action of thefloats whereby the buoyancy of the fioats and the action of gravity areutilized, and means operable by each of said floats for shifting theposition of said air valve in order that when one of the floats is moveddownwardly by reason of the discharge of water from the surroundingreceptacle the air valve will be shifted for switching the compressedair to the other receptacle and open the first mentioned receptacle tothe atmosphere for permitting the entrance of a new supply of water.

2. In a pump, a plurality of tubes for receiving water, discharge pipesextending therefrom and a valve for direct-ing air under pressurealternately to said tubes and for alternately exhausting said tubeswhereby the water in the tubes is alternately forced out of saiddischarge pipes, said valve comprising a rotating tubular meinberdivided into a plurality of chambers, a plurality of intake and exhaustports formed in said valve and a pair o-f continuously open ports, ahousing for the tubular member formed with a pair of ports continuouslyopen and registering with said tubes and with the continuously openports of said rotating member and a pair of inlet ports alternatelyregistering with the ports in said chambers whereby compressed air isalternately supplied to said chambers and said tubes, and said chambersand Said tubes are alternately connected with an exhaust port.

3. In a pump, a pair of tubes formed with an opening in the lower endsthereof, an intake valve arranged in each of said tubes above saidopening designed to permit the free entrance of water into the tubes,but prevent the escape of water from the tubes, a discharge pipeconnected to each of said tubes above said intake valves, a pivotallymounted lever arranged in said tubes above said intake valve, a rodslidably connected with each of said levers and operated thereby, afloat arranged in each of said tubes and engaging said levers fordepressing the levers when the water is forced out of the tubes intosaid discharge pipes, an air valve for switching compressed air to saidtubes, and means connecting said rods with said air valve whereby saidrods alternately shift the position of said air valve for causing thealternate exhaust of said tubes and the supplying of the tubes withcompressed air whereby the water in said tubes is alternately dischargedout of said discharge pipes, said valves and said floats permitting arecharging'of the tubes each time the tubes are exhausted.

4. In a pump, a pair of alternately operating pumping members, means fordirecting compressed air to said pumping members and a valve interposedin said means for controlling the action of said air, said valvecomprising a housing and a rotating valve member, said housing` beingformed with a vpair of ports in continuous communication with saidpumping members and with a pair of ports in continuous communicationWith the compressed air supplv, said rotating valve member being formedwith ports in continuous communication With said rst mentioned ports insaid housing and With ports alternately in communication with saidsecond mentioned ports in said housing and with a pair of exhaust portsin alternate communication with the atmosphere Whereby compressed air isalternately supplied to said pumping members and alternately connectedwith an exhaust.

5. In an air operated pump, means for guiding air to the pump, a valveformed with means for alternately switching on and oli' said air andconnecting and disconnecting the pump with an exhaust, a pair ofreceptacles connected with said valve which are alternately suppliedWith air under pressure and alternately open to the atmosphere, a valvearranged near the bottom of each of said receptacles for permitting thefree admission of Water into the receptacles, but preventing` the escapeof Water therefrom, a discharge pipe connected With each of saidreceptacles above said valves, a float positioned inl each of saidreceptacles above said valves formed With ridges thereon for positivelyspacing the float from lthe sidesy of the receptacles in order to permitWater and air to freely circulate around the oats, and means operable byeach of the floats for shifting the position of said valve in order thatwhen one of the oats is moved downwardly by reason of the discharge ofWater from the surrounding receptacle, the valve will be shifted forswitching the compressed air to the other' receptacles and opening thefirst mentioned receptacle to the atmosphere -for permitting theentrance of a new supply of Water.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

GEORGE DORFFEL. lVitnesses:

BIRDIE P. ZOBEL, E. M. SHAW.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

